River 6-ready to take on Lafayette, LA

Well, the moment we've all been waiting for! Round 1 has finally begun! We arrived yesterday afternoon in Lafayette, home to the birth of zydeco music and rich Cajun history. We are SO excited to be here. Currently I am sitting in the public library working on some things, but mostly just trying to feel better. I have inherited a pretty nasty head cold which just won't go away. Hopefully I can shake it by this weekend so I can dance and have fun with the family!

Our house is located at 132 Gilman Rd in a neighborhood dedicated to survivors of Katrina and Rita. We will be working just down the block on a Habitat for Humanity house, so it will be convenient and close to home. A Walmart Supercenter sits in our backyard, nice right? The house is a cute one-story home with 3 bedrooms with 4 bunk beds in each. It has 2 full bathrooms and a giant kitchen/living room area with 2 kitchen tables, comfy chairs and a TV. Lastly, it has a washer and dryer, and will need a little artwork and decor to make it homey. We are very impressed and excited to call 132 our home. The neighbors seem welcoming and enthusiastic about the work that we will be doing.

Over the next week we will be working not with Habitat but with an organization called Acadiana CARES which works with families and individuals living with HIV and AIDS. We will be doing some demo work on some houses that will be renovated. This is not definite, but most likely what our task will be.

On September 10th we will be traveling back to Vicksburg for a week of FIRE TRAINING! This may include controlled burns, chainsaw training, safety, etc. We will then return and start our work with Habitat. I am really excited to get to work and relieved to not be sitting in a classroom anymore. I'm anticipating some challenges and obstacles to overcome, but hope that as a team we can overcome them.

Pictures and more updates to come on Monday when I return from MA for Chris and Laurel's wedding!!!